AR: I want to say that AR simply stands for Armalite.....Armalite also made small survival rifles, shotguns and a few other things and they were all labled "AR-XX" So I am pretty sure it simply stands for Armalite.

CAR: darn it...I forgot...and I lent my "Black Rifle" book out.....

someone who really knows will be around soon to explain it, stay tuned

I wanted to breathe smoke...but suddenly, everything went all pink on me!!!

"There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change: It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of death, wounds, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time." - General George S. Patton, Jr.

On my Colt 6724, which has "CAR-A3" stamped on the receiver, I believe and according to Colts web site to term CAR stands for "Colt's Accurized Rifle" which is the 6724 - Also, the term HBAR on the 6724 stands for "Heavy Barrel AR" - Which is confused more by the term CAR15 - Colts Automatic Rifle. I gather when you use the term "CAR" it would be easier to use the model number rather then CAR which would confuse one model for another.........Oh, well...........Nothing like a straight answer.

Originally Posted By CK:On my Colt 6724, which has "CAR-A3" stamped on the receiver, I believe and according to Colts web site to term CAR stands for "Colt's Accurized Rifle" which is the 6724 - Also, the term HBAR on the 6724 stands for "Heavy Barrel AR" - Which is confused more by the term CAR15 - Colts Automatic Rifle. I gather when you use the term "CAR" it would be easier to use the model number rather then CAR which would confuse one model for another.........Oh, well...........Nothing like a straight answer.

Colt's branding of the CAR-A3 is marketingspeak. The "CAR" tag came before Colt used it. Not knocking Colt here, just noting that marketing is deep in the brand name selection process.

Originally Posted By CK:On my Colt 6724, which has "CAR-A3" stamped on the receiver, I believe and according to Colts web site to term CAR stands for "Colt's Accurized Rifle" which is the 6724 - Also, the term HBAR on the 6724 stands for "Heavy Barrel AR" - Which is confused more by the term CAR15 - Colts Automatic Rifle. I gather when you use the term "CAR" it would be easier to use the model number rather then CAR which would confuse one model for another.........Oh, well...........Nothing like a straight answer.

Colt's branding of the CAR-A3 is marketingspeak. The "CAR" tag came before Colt used it. Not knocking Colt here, just noting that marketing is deep in the brand name selection process.

Dear Friends!I write the book on a history of rifle AR-15/M16 in Russian - "The United States Rifle".I have studied many materials in English and Russian. Anywhere there is no correct name AR and CAR!I can not find the full name of three programs which materials are used at creation M16:SALVO - creation of a bullet;NIBLICK - grenade for a rifle;ALCLAD - creation of an optimum individual defence for the infantryman.